JUNE 26 and
27 DATES FOR THIS YEAR'S SACRED HEART FESTIVAL
Festival Organizers: “Now More Than Ever,
Festival is a Necessity” - Relying on Evelyn Champagne King to Save
the Day and Youth Programming Funding.
Facing down a bleak economy and it’s potential impact on their event
– the organizers of Sacred Heart Festival in East Boston, set for
June 26th and 27th, realize that their fundraising efforts on behalf
of the youth programming have never been more imperative.
East Boston, Massachusetts. May 24, 2008 - As they gathered for the
initial planning meeting for the third annual Sacred Heart Festival
in late winter – the committee had hoped that the “third time would
be the charm.”
They had every reason to believe that the
experiences and successes of the prior two years would ensure smooth
sailing for this year’s planning. Of course, they hadn’t planned on
the faltering economy. This meant that it would be harder to garner
donations and support and even more difficult to obtain deals from
service providers.
The moment they gathered around the table in the
tiny parish conference room – they all knew that they were on the
same page and that there was no way that the economy would let them,
the kids or the community down.
Over the past two years, this little parish festival - that was
developed as a means to raise funds for the church’s non-religious,
year-round youth programming has built a reputation for being a
quality, family oriented event that caters to every segment of the
population with attractions from pony rides and vendors to
demonstrations and games as well as some heavy duty national and
local performers including Tiny Tavares, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes,
JKM Rico, Jimmy Celona and Zumix to name a few.
Sacred Heart Festival organizers are thrilled to
have been able to raise over $12,000 for the youth group to date
while coordinating a first class, admission free event and they
don’t plan to stop any time soon. Quite the opposite, they are
spurred on to exceed their initial goals of crafting a quality,
fundraising event.
This year’s initiative is to ensure that every family, person,
organization or business that wants to participate can regardless of
individual financial circumstances. Organizers described that
they’re goal is to craft an event where families with six kids could
come down all weekend and have a wonderful time without going into
their pockets if that’s something they’re not able to do.
They want to serve as a catalyst for all of those
businesses that have tightened their budgets so that they can still
give to a worthwhile event and they know their donations will be
maximized and benefit all members of the East Boston Community.
Father Wayne Belschner explained “In these uncertain
economic times, the Church is trying to provide an avenue for
families to come together and have a good time. In the midst of
these dark times, we hope our festival provides a ray of hope for
all."
In a time where money is tight all around and folks are reflecting
on the simple things in life - Sacred Heart Festival 2009 boasts a
full roster of cost free activities to appeal to everyone including:
old fashioned sack races, 3 legged races, watermelon and pie eating
contests and even a pie and cake bake-off. Although there’s plenty
of belt tightening – the one thing they will not do is skimp on the
entertainment.
Festival attendees have come to look forward to
quality entertainment and the committee is all too happy to oblige.
This year they have outdone themselves with a two night
entertainment line-up that includes: JKM Rico – led by Sacred Heart
Church’s own Music Director – Sharon Love, New England’s ‘Man of
Many Voices’ Joey Canzano, Pat Benti’s tribute to Roy Orbison ‘In
Dreams’ and a growing list of performers that will culminate in a
headlining performance by one of the original Disco Divas – Evelyn
Champagne King.
On the rare occasion that you find yourself reaching into your
pocket - your return on investment will be exponential! The vendor
line up includes the best of East Boston’s dining and home-made
offerings.
Then there’s Sacred Heart Festival’s best kept
secret and – East Boston’s biggest 50/50 raffle. For an investment
of only $5.00 per ticket - this year’s potential jackpot has been
doubled with a chance to win up to $10,000!
Despite the wholehearted support of Father Wayne and the devotion of
the committee, it is a major financial undertaking to develop an
event of this size and caliber. With that in mind, it is a major
function of the festival committee to garner the funds that make
this event possible – while also raising funds for the youth
programming.
In addition to hosting events and traditional
fundraising methods, the committee also reaches out to the community
for financial support. All of these methods are important to
producing such a high quality, admission free community event.
With just about 7 weeks left until Sacred Heart Festival 2009, the
committee is hard at work finalizing vendor, entertainment and
activity line-ups. For more information about the festival or to
find out how you, your business or organization can get involved,
contact Festival Chair Celeste Myers at 617-913-3332 or committee
members Maria Pizzicannella at 617-872-7202 or Mimi Difeo at
617-504-4070.
For more information about this press release or to schedule an
interview with committee members, please contact Celeste Myers @
617-913-3332 or e-mail to:
festival.sacredheart@gmail.com
COMMUNITY FORUM ON PARKING MAY 26: E.B.
Chamber hosts meeting at Maverick Landing, located at 31
Liverpool Street, East Boston, on Tuesday, May 26, 2009,
from 6:00PM-7:30PM, to discuss parking.
EAGLE HILL CIVIC
ASSOCIATION MEETING Wednesday, May
27th at 7:00PM at the High School
SALESIAN
BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER JUNE 11,
The Salesian Boys & Girls Club
First Annual Breakfast Reception Thursday June 11, 2009
at 7:30 am Spinelli’s Banquet Hall $25 per person $250
per table contact 617-569-6551.
LITTLE LEAGUE TEXAS
HOLD 'EM FUNDRAISER Saturday
June 13, 2009 at: Suffolk Downs Racetrack East
Boston Doors open at 5:30 PM Tourney begins at
6:30 PM $100 Buy In (60%)
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